South Africa Leads New Coalition to Counter U.S. and Israel Pressure on the ICC

At a recent United Nations gathering, Donald Trump repeated his attacks on the International Criminal Court and called on nations to exit the tribunal. Earlier this year, the United States imposed sanctions on the ICC’s president and a senior prosecutor involved in the warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged crimes in Gaza, and further sanctions are reportedly being prepared. In reaction, a coalition of eight countries—Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa—has organized under the banner of the Hague Group to uphold international law and support the Palestinian people.

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola addressed the audience at New York’s Riverside Church, urging respect for legal norms. Varsha Gandikota, executive secretary of the Hague Group, condemned Trump’s statements as an “absolute low point” for the United Nations. The group aims to counter what it calls unilateral bullying by the United States and Israel toward the ICC.